Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ defense hold off the Texans14-9 in season opener
Los Angeles Rams #9 Matthew Stafford (QB) is attempting a pass downfield to one of his open receivers against the Houston Texans’ defense. Photo by George Laase/Culver City Papers September 7, 2025.
INGLEWOOD, CA - Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams defense did just enough with big plays from both sides to help come away with a 14-9 season home opener against the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium.
Stafford, despite being sacked three times, had a solid game, completing 21 of his 29 passes for 245 yards and one touchdown, and Kyren Williams carried the football 18 times for 66 yards and one touchdown.
Puka Nacua, after getting hit helmet-to-helmet against a Texans defender, caught 10 passes for 130 yards, and Davante Adams caught 5 passes for 51 yards.
The Rams' head coach, Sean McVay, had to give credit to his offensive line for doing a solid job when things weren’t going right on offense, to give Stafford time to make some big clutch throws downfield to Xavier Smith (Longest 36 yards), Nacua (Longest 25 yards), and Adams (Longest 24 yards).
The Houston Texans, on their second possession of the game, had to settle for a 51-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairm from the Rams’ 33-yard line to lead 3-0 in the first quarter.
Los Angeles Rams #0 Byron Young (OLB) about to sack the Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud for a 14-yard loss at the Rams’11-yard line at SoFi Stadium. Photo by George Laase/Culver City Papers September 7, 2025.
The Rams ’Byron Young (OLB) got the first sack of the game in the second quarter after grabbing C.J. Stroud at the Texans’ 27-yard line for a 13-yard loss.
The Texans returned the favor after Matthew Stafford fumbled the snap and was sacked for a 14-yard loss to the Rams’ 11-yard line, making it 4th and 29.
The Los Angeles defense held after sacking Stroud for the second time, forcing the Texans Fairbaim to kick a 45-yard field goal to give them a 6-0 lead.
The Rams, with 53 seconds remaining before halftime, took the lead 7-6 after Kyren Williams’ 1-yard touchdown, and the extra point by Joshua Karty was good after going 65 yards on nine plays. Houston would lead 9-7 at halftime with a 53-yard field goal by Fairbaim.
Los Angeles led 14-9 in the third quarter after Stafford connected with his tight end, Davis Allen, with a 13-yard touchdown reception on a crossing route on the left side of the end zone.
Los Angeles Rams #55 Braden Fiske (DE) recovered the football after his teammate #53 Nate Landman (ILB) knocked the football out of the arms of #33 Dare Ogunbowale (RB) from the Houston Texans. Photo by George Laase/Culver City Papers September 7, 2025.
The Rams’ defense continued to make big plays when Cobie Durant (CB), in mid-air, took the football away from
Jayden Higgins, the wide receiver from the Houston Texans, at the Rams’ 41-yard line.
The play of the game for the Rams came in the fourth quarter, and with the Texans in striking distance to take the lead, Nate Landman (ILB) punched the ball out from their running back, Dare Ogunbowale, for a fumble, and Braden Fiske (DE) recovered the football at their 24-yard line to seal the win.
Stroud finished the game, completing 19 of his 27 passes for 188 yards, one interception, and was sacked three times. Nick Chubb led Houston in rushing with 13 carries for 60 yards.